If you take any of the medications below, you need to be fully clear of them before ceremony. These are the minimum times commonly used by ayahuasca centers. Your own doctor decides the safe taper for you — never stop a prescribed medication on your own.

Most SSRIs and SNRIs (common antidepressants such as Zoloft, Lexapro, Paxil, Effexor, and Cymbalex) need a minimum of four weeks off. Fluoxetine (Prozac) needs a minimum of six weeks off because it stays in the body longer.

Pharmaceutical MAOIs — for example phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate), isocarboxazid (Marplan), selegiline (Emsam), and moclobemide — need a minimum of two weeks off, and often longer. Ask your doctor.

Tricyclic antidepressants and trazodone need a minimum of two weeks off. St. John’s Wort and 5-HTP also need a minimum of two weeks off.

Lithium, antipsychotics, and other psychiatric medications are case-by-case. Please disclose them fully. They are often not compatible with ceremony.

Stimulants (such as Adderall, Ritalin, and amphetamines), many cold and allergy medicines that contain DM or decongestants, tramadol, and recreational stimulants or MDMA must be fully stopped well before arrival. Disclose everything you take.